2006 Errazuriz Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve, Aconcagua Valley, Chile

A very good contender for the finest wine in Chile, the Don Max 2006 is made up of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. It is farmed from five plots , imaginatively titled Max 1-V all of which are located in the Aconcagua Valley and benefit thus from cooling Pacific breezes in addition to predominately granitic or gravely soils which offer good levels of drainage.

The 2006 is a classic Cabernet, with cassis, blueberry and truffle on the nose and a palate where the oak (18 months in 94% French) is finely integrated and subtle. The wine is rich and textured, but has structural definition and an integrity of shape that are seldom encountered in the New World. The 2006 scored very highly in a recent so-called Tasting Of Belin, where new and old world Cabernets were put into the ring to battle it out.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)